Hop plant named &#39;Summit&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of hop is described and which is characterized principally as to novelty by being semi-dwarf in stature; and which further produces cones having a high percentage of alpha-acids, high alpha/beta ratio and excellent storage stability of alpha-acids.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofhop “Humulus Lupulus L” and which has been denominated varietally,hereinafter, as ‘SUMMIT’.

ORIGIN

Hops are grown commercially and are principally used in the brewingindustry to add bitterness and flavor to beverages such as beer. Lupulinglands found inside female hop cones provide the resins and essentialoils which are the primary component of the hop flavor which is impartedto such beverages.

New hop varieties are typically evaluated for their growingcharacteristics, hop cone yields, disease resistance, and the chemicalcomposition of the resins and essential oils contained within the hopcone glands. As should be understood, only female hop plants producecones containing the lupulin glands, and thus only female hop plantshave any significant commercial value.

The present hop plant was derived from a multitude of hop plantsresulting from a controlled cross-pollination which was conducted duringthe summer of 2000. The aforementioned cross-pollination was performedbetween a non-patented, female hop plant owned by the inventor, andcommonly referred to as “Lexus”; with a non-patented, male hop plant.The female parent “Lexus” had previously been derived from a controlledcross-pollination which was conducted during the summer of 1999. In thisregard, the female parent “Lexus” was derived from a cross-pollinationconducted between the female hop plant “Zeus” which is commerciallyavailable, and non-patented; and a non-patented male hop plantdesignated as USDA 19058m. The male parent had resulted from an earliercontrolled cross-pollination conducted during the summer of 1999 betweenthe female hop plant “Zeus”, first mentioned, above; and a non-patentedmale hop plant which is named “(Nugget X open)_(m)” and which was ownedby the inventor. This same male hop plant was earlier selected from anumber of seedlings arising from the seeds which were collected from theNugget hop cones. The Nugget hop cones had been pollinated andoriginated from a commercial hop field which is located near Harrah,Wash.

The controlled cross-pollination program resulting in the creation ofthe new hop variety of the present application was performed during the2000 growing season by the inventor at his personal residence which islocated at 331 Perry Way, Yakima, Wash. The inventor discovered the newvariety of hop during the 2001 growing season among the numerous hopplants then growing at his residence, and which had been germinated fromseeds resulting from the above described controlled cross-pollinationprogram. The seeds from the cross-pollination first referenced, above,were planted in the inventor's greenhouse during January, 2001.Thereafter, the most vigorous plants resulting from the aforementionedcross-pollination were selected and planted by the inventor in hisexperimental hop field which is located at 331 Perry Way, Yakima, Wash.These plants were grown on twine attached to a 10 foot high trellisduring the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons.

Subsequent chemical analysis and field observations made in 2002 andthereafter revealed the new hop plant “Summit” had an unusually highpercentage of alpha acids; short internode lengths which indicated asemi-dwarf characteristic; a lack of powdery mildew; and a reasonablyprojected per acre cone yield when grown on a low trellis. During the2003 growing season, the “Summit” hop plant was grown in twogeographically different locations with no powdery mildew observed.Further, the production of alpha-acids was quite high as calculated atboth locations. The plants growing at the two different geographicallocations constituted the first asexual reproduction of the presentvariety. Based upon the field observations performed, and the chemicaland analytical data collected during testing and evaluation of thevariety during the 2002-2005 growing seasons, it appears that the secondand third generation “Summit” hop plants demonstrate genetic stabilitywith respect to the new variety's novel characteristics of unusuallyhigh alpha-acids yields; very high alpha/beta ratios; excellent storagestability of alpha acids; and powdery mildew resistance.

In relative comparison to the unpatented commercially available “Zeus”variety, the present variety “Summit” is considered to be a semi-dwarfwhich makes it a better prospect for growth on low trellis arrangements.Further, the variety “Summit” is resistant to the powdery mildew strainsfound in the Yakima Valley, and has much better storage stability ofalpha acids and has a higher alpha/beta acid ratio in comparison to thevariety “Zeus.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs ofthe present variety.

FIG. 1 shows several whole cones of the present variety.

FIG. 2 depicts a mature vine leaf of the present variety.

FIG. 3 depicts the growing characteristics of the present variety whengrown on a low trellis (approximately 10 ft.).

The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorrepresentations of this type. Due to chemical development and processingand printing, the leaves, and cones depicted in these photographs may ormay not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For thisreason, future color references should be made to the color plates(Royal Horticulture Society), and descriptions provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the details of this new and distinctvariety of hop plant, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing near Moxee, Wash. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the RHS Colour Chart, 4^(th) Editionprovided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Plant:    -   -   Generally.—Considered semi-dwarf, and maintaining a height            of approximately 14 to 16 feet. The present variety is a            perennial producing annual climbing bines and a perennial            crown. The present variety does not self-pollinate.        -   Bines.—Growth characteristic — Bines of the present variety            climb in a clockwise direction with the aid of tricomes.

Bine.—Color — Green, (RHS 146C). The color of the bine is notdistinctive of the present variety. Further, six light brownish purplestripes typically appear on the bine.

-   -   -   Bine.—Thickness — The bine of a mature hop plant may have a            dimension of about ⅜ to about ½ of an inch in thickness when            measured at a distance of approximately 6 feet above ground            level.        -   Laterals.—Position — Considered caulous and substantially            evenly spaced along the main bine. Laterals of the present            variety grow from auxiliary buds at each node along the main            bine.        -   Laterals.—Growth Habit — Generally speaking, Laterals grow            from auxiliary buds at each node along the main bine.            Inflorescences develop from axils of the Laterals. Each            inflorescence becomes a hop cone at maturity.        -   Laterals.—Length — Considered shorter than most commercial            varieties. The typical lateral length ranges from about 18            to about 30 inches.        -   Internodes.—Length — The present variety has internode            lengths of approximately 1½ to about 4 inches. Typically,            laterals will have approximately 6 to about 8 internodes            each.        -   Stems.—Generally — The annual stems of the present variety            grow from the crown and rhizomes of the plant in early            Spring and twine around suitable supports.        -   Dormancy.—Generally — The present hop variety emerges from            dormancy approximately one week later than the commercial            variety “Zeus” (unpatented); and approximately one week            earlier than the variety “Galena” (unpatented) at the same            geographical location. In this regard, the commercial            variety “Zeus” (unpatented) emerges approximately the third            or fourth week of March at the same geographical location in            Washington, while Galena does not emerge until the first            week of April.        -   Shoot Growth Rate.—Generally — Considered average when            compared against other common commercial varieties. The            present variety, however, is slower than the hop variety            “Nugget” (unpatented) at the same geographical location.        -   Vine stems.—Shape — Generally considered to be hexagonal.        -   Vine stems.—Color — Green with the corners of the hexagonal            shaped vine having a light purplish brown stripe similar to            the commercial variety “Zeus” (unpatented). This color,            however, appears less pronounced. This purplish brown color            is not particularly distinctive of the present variety.        -   Stems.—Growth — Average, as compared to other commercial            varieties.        -   Stems.—Size — Typically about ⅜ inch in diameter when            measured approximately 6 feet above ground level.        -   Cultural measures.—Generally — The present variety is            considered to be a low trellis vine which self-trains, that            is, the vines are allowed to grasp support strings to begin            upward growth. The present variety, as a general matter, can            reach the top of a low trellis in approximately 4 weeks            after self-training which typically occurs in late May. In            the event that the variety is grown on a conventional high            trellis, early May training may be required. Low trellis            heights stand typically at approximately 10 feet and normal            trellis heights are typically about 18 feet.        -   Stipule growth direction.—Generally — Considered to be            downward.        -   Plant Shape.—Generally — Columnar on low trellis            arrangements. Fusiform when grown on high trellis            arrangements.

-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaves.—Generally — The leaves of the “Summit” variety are            borne in pairs at each node on the main bine.        -   Leaves.—Position — Considered opposite.        -   Stipules.—Location — Typically at the petiole base of each            leaf.        -   Stipules.—Arrangement — Considered interpetiolar.        -   Leaves.—Size — Considered average as compared to other            common varieties.        -   Leaf.—Width — Approximately 6-7 inches in width.        -   Leaf.—Shape — Cordate and having 3-5 palmate lobes and            further having palmate venation.        -   Leaf margin.—Shape — Slightly serrated, and moderately            dentate.        -   Sinus-clefts.—Shape — Considered moderately cut.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface — Dark Green (RHS 137A).        -   Leaf color.—Lower surface — Lighter Green (RHS 137C).        -   Leaf petiole.—Color — Green (RHS 146C).        -   Leaf petiole.—Color — Upper surface only — Green (RHS 146C)            This green coloration is distinctly different from that of            the “Zeus” hop plant (unpatented) which displays a purple            shading on the upper side of the petiole.        -   Leaf petiole.—Position — Extends from the main bine at            approximately 90 degree angle and is slightly reflexed.        -   Petioles.—Shape — Slightly channeled and having a flat            surface on the upper surface.        -   Leaves.—Upper surface texture — Rough. As a general matter,            stiff fine hairs appear on the upper surface of the leaf.            This creates a dull appearance and a rough texture.        -   Surface characteristic.—Lower surface of leaf — Many            disc-shaped yellowish resin glands appear on the lower            surface.

-   Cones:    -   -   Generally.—Inflorescences of the present variety “Summit”            begin to appear on the bines in early July and mature during            the second to third week of September under the ecological            conditions prevailing in Central Washington. As the            respective inflorescences mature, they form a cone-like            structure or strobile and which is best seen in FIG. 1.        -   Form.—The present variety develops inflorescence on a            cranked axis and typically in even pairs, or clusters. The            cones on the present variety develop on laterals from the            top of the plant to a location approximately 24 inches above            ground level.        -   Strig.—Generally — Considered compact with a modal diameter.        -   Aroma.—Generally — Considered moderate, but pleasant.        -   Cone length.—Approximately 1.25 to about 1.40 inches when            grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in Central            Washington.        -   Cone tip.—Shape — Bluntly pointed.        -   Cone shape.—Ovoid in shape.        -   Compactness.—Considered tight and semi-dense for the present            variety.        -   Bract tip.—Shape — Considered cuspidate.        -   Bracteole.—Shape — Considered acute to deltoid.        -   Central rachis.—Form — Compact, but not considered as thick            as compared to the strig of the common commercial variety            “Zeus” (unpatented).        -   Lupulin glands.—Numbers — The cone of the present variety            contains numerous lupilin glands.        -   Date of maturity.—Considered to be middle to late as            compared to other common hop varieties grown in Central            Washington.        -   Cone shape.—Uniformity — Considered uniform.        -   Harvestability.—Generally — The hop cones of the present            variety “Summit” are well adapted for mechanical harvesting            because of their compactness and ovoid shape. The cones of            the present variety are not shattered during harvest.        -   Lupulin glands.—Shape — Considered globular and having a            golden yellow color which is not particularly distinctive of            the present variety.        -   Bract tip position.—Considered appressed, however some            bracts are slightly everted at full maturity.        -   Yield per acre.—Approximately 2,000 to about 2,300 pounds on            average. However, this yield is contingent upon temperature,            soil conditions and cultural practices and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Cone bracteole.—Color — Green (RHS 145A).        -   Cone bract.—Color — Green (RHS 145C).

-   Analytical data of the cones:    -   -   Generally.—The analytical data as provided hereinafter of            the cones have been gathered from cones having a cone            moisture of approximately 8%.        -   Percentage of alpha-acids as calculated in a bale.—About            18-19.5% as determined by the ASBC Spectrophotometric            method.        -   Percentage of beta-acids as calculated in a            bale.—Approximately 3.3-4.3% as calculated by the ASBC            Spectrophotometric method.        -   Alpha/beta acid ratio.—About 5.0 to about 6.0.        -   Cohumulone (% of alpha-acids).—About 32.5%.        -   Colupulone (% of beta-acids).—Approximately 54%.        -   Storage characteristics.—The cones of the present variety            experience a 12% transformation of alpha acids after about 6            months of storage at 22° C. In relative comparison to other            common varieties, this rate of transformation is less than            the best storing high alpha acid commercial varieties such            as Galena and Nugget (both unpatented).        -   Total oil content.—About 1.5 milliliters per 100 grams.        -   Humulene (% of total oils).—Approximately 15%.        -   Caryophyllene (% of total oils).—Approximately 10%.        -   Humulene/caryophyllene ratio.—Approximately 1.5.        -   Farnesene (% of total oils).—0.        -   Myrcene (% of total oils).—Approximately 48%.        -   Lupulin (% of total cone weight).—Approximately 30%.        -   Ploidy.—The genetic make up of “Summit” is diploid. In this            regard, the mother is diploid and the father is diploid.        -   Disease resistance.—The variety “Summit” appears to be            moderately susceptible to hop downy mildew fungus. “Summit”            appears to be resistant to the strains of powdery mildew            fungus typically found in the Yakima Valley of Central            Washington. “Summit” also appears tolerant to strains of            Verticillium Wilt and other virus diseases found in U.S.            growing areas. This variety also appears tolerant to the            major soil borne pests that affect hops including            Phytophthora root rot.        -   Regional adaptation.—The “Summit” variety of hop appears to            be adapted to the drier growing regions of Washington State,            especially the Yakima Valley of Central Washington.        -   Life expectancy.—Unknown.

Although the new variety of hop possesses the desired characteristicswhen grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in the YakimaValley of Central Washington, it should be understood that variations ofthe usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changing and growingconditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticulturalmanagement are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of hop substantially is illustrated anddescribed and which is characterized principally as to novelty by beingsemi-dwarf in nature; having a high percentage of alpha-acids, highalpha/beta ratio and excellent storage stability of alpha-acids; andwhich is mature for harvesting approximately 10 to 20 September underthe ecological conditions prevailing in the Yakima Valley of CentralWashington.